Switzerland neutrality?

Where's Patron?

NY Times: US Officials Grow More Concerned about potential action by China on Taiwan

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has grown increasingly anxious this summer about China’s statements and actions regarding Taiwan, with some officials fearing that Chinese leaders might try to move against the self-governing island over the next year and a half — perhaps by trying to cut off access to all or part of the Taiwan Strait, through which U.S. naval ships regularly pass.

The internal worries have sharpened in recent days, as the administration quietly works to try to dissuade House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from going through with a proposed visit to Taiwan next month, U.S. officials say. Ms. Pelosi, Democrat of California, would be the first speaker to visit Taiwan since 1997, and the Chinese government has repeatedly denounced her reported plans and threatened retaliation.

U.S. officials see a greater risk of conflict and miscalculation over Ms. Pelosi’s trip as President Xi Jinping of China and other Communist Party leaders prepare in the coming weeks for an important political meeting in which Mr. Xi is expected to extend his rule.

Chinese officials have strongly asserted this summer that no part of the Taiwan Strait can be considered international waters, contrary to the views of the United States and other nations. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in June that “China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait.”

U.S. Officials Grow More Concerned About Potential Action by China on Taiwan https://nyti.ms/3osRJpV


Maybe we're going to need more artillery shells.

Patron on Mondays.

Bo Jo signs up!

Remember the old Bob Hope USO shows? They're back!

Three things I'd still like to know about the Jan. 6 attempted coup

1. What was going on at the Dept. of Defense? Larry Hogan was just on CNN saying he tried for hours to get permission to send the MD National Guard. Never got a response from the acting Sec. of Defense. Trump appointed 5 people to acting positions at Defense after he lost including the Secretary .Who comes in from outside to take a lame duck job for a couple months? It seems like something strange was going on there.
2. What was the plot being discussed at the Willard Hotel? So far no one in the meetings has rolled over. It's clear there was a plan. Trump wasn't going to the Capitol to give another speech. My guess was he planned to enter the Capitol and declare something on the floor of the Senate. Martial Law? An end to the Certification of the votes? His arrival would have happened at about the time of the coordinated assault on the East Door of the Capitol.
3. What coordination was going on between the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and the people close to Trump. Alex Jones and Roger Stone were doing the coordinating. Will we ever learn the details?

Bonus question: How many drinks did Rudy have on Jan. 5-6?

The Cote d'Azur (French Riviera) remains in Russian hands.

This guy must have just vacationed there.

https://twitter.com/HoansSolo/status/1550777497238765568

If it's Sunday, it's another Ukraine update by Professor Phillips Peyson OBrien.

Orcs encircled near Kherson!

Apparently there are somewhere between 500 and 2000 Orcs who have managed to get themselves cut off north of the battle lines near Kherson.
I've been reading about this for a few days but didn't want to post anything until I read confirmation from Def Mon. He says this morning the encirclement is 3/4 complete with no easy road out. The orcs are in deep shit.

https://twitter.com/mhmck/status/1550299514317279240

https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1550808094938222597

There are reports the orcs are asking for a 'green corridor' out. Yeah right.